Croydon's star-spangled pantomime this year, Snow White and the Seven Dwarves is quite a spectacle given it was prepared in just two frenzied weeks. And no one knows more how manic it's been than Snow White herself, Casualty star Georgina Bouzova.

"We had three dress rehearsals on Thursday, two performances on Friday and three more on Saturday, it's been quite intense.

"I've loved it, though. It's been brilliant, even though I was really nervous on the first night last Friday. There's nothing else like panto, it's in its own individual world."

If you're heading to Fairfield for the performance, watch out for Georgina trying to keep a straight face: "Andy Ford, who plays loveable rascal Muddles and Bryan Burdon this year's dame are fantastic fun to work with, they have these comedy bits which are just hilarious. One in particular is different every night and I stand there watching them, trying not to laugh. It's impossible, I always end up in hysterics!"

"Andy is amazing at what he does," she adds, "I'm quite in awe of him actually." This comedy duo, other than "getting to snog the prince", Georgina admits, is her favourite aspect of the panto, which is the first of her career.

Normally she is used to more serious roles on television, which are no less hard graft. Think you're overworked in your job? Well the demands of Georgina's role as Ellen in Casualty locked horns with her competing on Strictly Come Dancing earlier this year, resulting in epic 17-hour working days. Despite her admirable commitment to the show, Goergina's early exit from Strictly Come Dancing was no problem to her.

"Four weeks was plenty. I didn't really go to win, my friends were coming down to watch me and all I wanted was to still be in it then and I was. It was hard work and I lost so much weight, especially for the jive.

"It's such good practice for an actor. Doing three panto shows a day, or going out on Strictly Come Dancing and giving it absolutely everything you've got, it's totally different to being on TV and trying to be realistic."

The half-Slovakian 30-year-old has already filmed her dramatic Christmas exit from Casualty, in what she describes as "easily the best episode I've ever filmed, The script really moved me when I read it".

While Georgina cannot reveal how she departs from Casualty, the final outcome of Snow White has never exactly been shrouded in mystery. Happy endings all round of course, rather like the ending to 2006, Georgina's busiest and most successful year to date.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarves; Fairfield Halls, Park Lane, Croydon; prices vary, runs until January 7, call 020 8688 9291 or visit fairfield.co.uk.